CPT 17271Surgery

Dstr mal les s/n/h/f/g 0.6-1

CPT 17271 covers the destruction of a cancerous or pre-cancerous skin lesion measuring between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. This typically involves freezing, burning, or laser treatment to remove abnormal tissue.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$162.06

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

1.54

PE RVU (NF)

3.31

MP RVU

0.16

Total RVU

5.01

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Measure lesions precisely and document the greatest diameter in centimeters (not millimeters) in the operative note; 17271 covers 0.6-1.0 cm specifically
Impact: Incorrect sizing can result in downcoding to 17270 ($133.81) or upcoding denial to 17272, representing a $28-60 payment difference per lesion
Bill non-facility (office) setting when appropriate to capture the full $162.06 rate rather than facility rate of $103.19
Impact: Setting-of-service optimization yields $58.87 additional revenue per procedure (36% increase)
Document anatomical location explicitly as scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia; generic 'skin' documentation may trigger denial or downcoding to 17000-series codes
Impact: Location-specific codes (17271) reimburse significantly higher than non-specific destruction codes; failure to document can result in $80-100 reduction per lesion
When destroying multiple lesions, list 17271 for the first lesion and use appropriate add-on codes (17272-17276) for additional lesions in the same size range
Impact: Proper sequencing prevents duplicate denials and maximizes reimbursement; first lesion at $162.06, subsequent lesions typically 50-75% of base rate
Obtain pathology confirmation of malignancy before destruction when possible; link appropriate ICD-10 malignancy code (C44.x series) for medical necessity
Impact: Pre-procedure biopsy confirmation reduces denial rate from approximately 15-20% to under 5%; supports medical necessity on audit
Separate visits for biopsy and destruction to avoid bundling; allow pathology results to return before scheduling destruction procedure

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 17271 in 2025?

Medicare pays $162.06 for CPT 17271 in non-facility settings and $103.19 in facility settings based on the 2025 national average payment rates. Actual reimbursement may vary by locality based on geographic practice cost indices (GPCI).

What size lesion does CPT code 17271 cover?

CPT 17271 covers destruction of malignant lesions measuring 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm in greatest diameter on high-risk anatomical sites (scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia). Lesions smaller than 0.6 cm use code 17270, while larger lesions use 17272-17276.

Can I bill an E/M visit with CPT 17271 on the same day?

Yes, you can bill an E/M service with CPT 17271 on the same day if you append modifier 25 to the E/M code and document a separately identifiable evaluation and management service beyond the usual pre-procedure assessment. The E/M must address a distinct concern or involve decision-making separate from the destruction procedure.

What is the difference between CPT 17271 and 17260?

CPT 17271 is for destruction of malignant lesions on high-risk sites (scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia) sized 0.6-1.0 cm, while 17260 is for destruction of the first malignant lesion on trunk, arms, or legs regardless of size. The codes differ by anatomical location and 17271 has specific size parameters.

How many times can CPT 17271 be billed per session?

CPT 17271 should be billed once per session for the first lesion in the 0.6-1.0 cm size range. For additional lesions in the same session, use add-on codes from the same series. Most payers allow multiple lesion destructions per session with appropriate documentation of distinct lesions.

Do I need a biopsy before billing CPT 17271?

While not always required, pathology confirmation of malignancy before destruction is strongly recommended and significantly reduces denial rates. Clinical diagnosis may be acceptable for clearly malignant lesions, but documentation must support medical necessity. Many payers require biopsy confirmation for lesions that are not obviously malignant.

What are the work RVUs for CPT code 17271?

CPT 17271 has 1.54 work RVUs, 3.31 practice expense RVUs (non-facility), 1.49 practice expense RVUs (facility), and 0.16 malpractice RVUs, for a total of 5.01 non-facility RVUs in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.